Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Gangs and the Police Presentation at the International CopWatching Conference

Gangs and the PolicePresented by Greg Robson and Joaquin CienfuegosAbout

Greg Robson will be sharing his story with us, along with his experiences working with young gang members and being an advocate against Police misconduct.

Joaquin Cienfuegos will discuss the history of the relationship between street organizations (gangs) and the police, as well as the history of street organizations in particular. As well as the biggest gang, the Police Departments and law enforcement departments. How we relate to gangs and deal with issues in our communities, as opposed to how our community relates to state and how the state relates to our community.Presenter bio

Greg Robson is originally from the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, he is turtle clan and his spirit name is Medicine Horse Man. Greg is the proud father of three sons, Chase, Caleb, and Andreas who he raises with his wife Christin Harris.

Greg uses his personal experience with homelessness and gang involvement combined Western academia and his culture and spirituality as a foundation in the work he does with youth and the Criminal Justice System. His expertise allows him to be effective at reaching youth and adults who are actively involved in gang culture.

Greg credits breaking the cycles of poverty, generational affects of gangs and violence to being involved in Aboriginal spirituality and attending ceremonies. Greg takes his responsibilities as a community member, justice worker and Sundancer very seriously and uses the teachings he has gained throughout his lifetime to help him in the work he does.

Greg`s greatest teachings have been the value of sacrifice, commitment and dedication to self, family and community.

Joaquin Cienfuegos is a member of Cop Watch Los Angeles and the Piece Cooperative. He is from South Central Los Angeles. He started organizing when he was 17 years old. What politicized him was his life experiences, dealing with the police in South Central, and the racist anti-immigration laws that were passed when he was young. He began to focus on community organizing, because he felt the most potential was in empowering the people, and building the institutions that will replace the oppressive power structure, capitalism, imperialism, colonialism, patriarchy and white supremacy. He began organizing and helped create the Southern California Anarchist Federation – Los Angeles Chapter. Cop Watch LA was a collective project that came out of SCAF-LA.